Dr. Richard Illgen, M.D.
Contact & Location
608-263-7540
Madison, WI 53792
Madison, WI 53715
Dr. Illgen performs more knee replacement procedures than 98% of orthopedic surgeons in Wisconsin, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #3 of 152 ranked knee surgeons in Wisconsin.
About Dr. Illgen
Practice. Dr. Richard Illgen is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Madison, Wisconsin. The latest annual CMS data records 136 knee replacements and 53 hip replacements, 189 procedures in all. That is #3 in Wisconsin for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 100 procedures a year to 189, up 89%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 136 procedures is more than 3x the national average of 45.
Local context. Madison has 23 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Illgen also holds hospital privileges in WI and IL, a practice that extends beyond Wisconsin.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 42 | 58 |
| 2014 | 49 | 58 |
| 2015 | 52 | 65 |
| 2016 | 67 | 90 |
| 2017 | 65 | 109 |
| 2018 | 68 | 134 |
| 2019 | 56 | 131 |
| 2020 | 53 | 84 |
| 2021 | 68 | 106 |
| 2022 | 76 | 115 |
| 2023 | 68 | 138 |
| 2024 | 53 | 136 |
Verified Medicare Cases
How is this estimated?
Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims are one payer stream among several, and the share they represent differs by procedure. In 2024 it was 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 25% to 33% for hip replacement. Each verified count above is divided by its own procedure's range, and the results are added, to estimate total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count is the definitive, audited figure; this is a range derived from published national volume projections, not a measurement, and an individual practice can sit well outside it: how these ranges are derived, and their sources.
How Dr. Illgen Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Wisconsin state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Illgen's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 89% from 100 procedures in 2013 to 189 in the most recent data.
Hospital Affiliations & Quality
Quality ratings and complication rates are hospital-level metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon performance. Star ratings updated quarterly. Complication data covers a rolling 3-year period.
Patient Resources: Preparing for Knee Replacement
If you are considering knee replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
An overview of current surgical approaches including robotic-assisted and minimally invasive techniques, implant options, and expected outcomes.
Prehabilitation: Preparing Your Body for SurgeryEvidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
Rehabilitation Roadmap: Your Complete Recovery GuideA structured physical therapy progression from the first post-op exercises through full strength and mobility restoration over 3 to 6 months.
Medicare Bundled Payment Programs for Joint ReplacementHow bundled payment models affect your joint replacement costs and care coordination, and what it means for hospital and surgeon selection.
Knee Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after knee replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full knee replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Illgen
How does Dr. Illgen's procedure volume compare to other Wisconsin surgeons?
Dr. Illgen has performed 189 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 3x the Wisconsin average of 51 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Illgen ranks #3 out of 189 orthopedic surgeons in Wisconsin.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Illgen perform?
Dr. Illgen's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (136 cases) and hip replacement (53 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Illgen with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Illgen ranks #3 in Wisconsin for knee replacement with 136 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 189 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Illgen in Madison?
Yes. There are 23 orthopedic surgeons in Madison in the current Medicare dataset. Patients can compare procedure volumes and specializations to choose the surgeon who best fits their needs. Use the state page to view all Wisconsin surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Illgen represent?
The procedure counts shown are based on 2024 Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Medicare fee-for-service is only one payer stream, and the share of national volume it represents differs by procedure. In 2024 the share was 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Illgen's total volume across all insurers at roughly 650 to 800 procedures against the 189 verified here. Those shares are derived from published national volume projections rather than quoted from a single publication, and they are estimates with real uncertainty. The OrthoProcedures methodology page shows the full derivation, the sources, and the limits at orthoprocedures.com/data-methodology.html.
Has Dr. Illgen's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Illgen's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 100 procedures in 2013 to 189 in the most recent data, a 89% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 206 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Illgen perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Illgen's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (136 cases), hip replacement (53 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Illgen affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Illgen is affiliated with University Of Wi Hospitals & Clinics Authority, Unitypoint Health - Meriter, Fort Memorial Hospital, Stoughton Hospital, Uw Health. Dr. Illgen maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Illgen compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Madison?
Among the 23 orthopedic surgeons in Madison, Dr. Illgen ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Illgen is among the highest-volume surgeons in Madison.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Illgen practices?
University Of Wi Hospitals & Clinics Authority (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Unitypoint Health - Meriter (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Madison, Wisconsin
Dr. Illgen's 189 Medicare procedures are above the Madison average of 161. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Madison.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Brian Nickel | 246 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Hennessy | 233 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Rajit Chakravarty | 133 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Scott Anderson | 112 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Andrew Livermore | 109 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Brian Grogan | 106 | Shoulder |
Patient Resources & Verification
Research reviews, verify credentials, and check official quality data through these trusted sources:
Medicare Care Compare and NPI Registry are official U.S. government sources. Google reviews reflect user-submitted feedback. OrthoProcedures.com does not verify the accuracy of third-party review content.